Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. In a federated computing architecture, an enhanced facsimile communications environment that enables transfer of at least one of (a) a document, (b) an origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) policy attribute information between at least first and second cooperating peer facsimile capable systems, the environment comprising: a plurality of Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSP) including a first DFSB and a second DFSB, the first DFSB at least configured to communicate with the first cooperating peer facsimile capable system, the second DFSB at least configured to communicate with the second peer facsimile capable system; and at least one Federated Facsimile Service Broker (FFSB) that is configured to register the first and second DFSPs; the first DFSP being configured to receive routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute, from the first cooperating facsimile capable peer system destined for the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system; the at least one FFSB being configured to receive the routing information from the first DFSP and to use the received routing information to query whether any of the plural DFSPs are capable of communicating with the second peer facsimile capable system, the at least one FFSB being configured to notify the first DFSB in response to a successful query that the second DFSP is capable of communicating with the second peer facsimile capable system; the first DFSP being structured to perform operations comprising: (i) upon reception of the routing information from the first cooperating facsimile capable peer system, communicating with the at least one FFSB to determine whether another DFSB is capable of communicating the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) policy attribute information to the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system, (ii) determine based on such received policy attribute information whether the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier and (c) data requires further processing; (iii) in response to notification from the FFSB that the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system is accessible by the second DFSP, transferring the routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information to the second DFSP; and (iv) upon the successful transfer of the routing information and the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information to the second DFSP, delegating to the second DFSP communications to the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system of the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information.
In a federated computing architecture, this invention addresses the challenge of securely and efficiently transferring documents, origination identifiers, data, and policy attributes between peer facsimile systems across distributed networks. The system includes multiple Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSPs) and at least one Federated Facsimile Service Broker (FFSB). Each DFSP communicates with a peer facsimile system, while the FFSB registers and manages the DFSPs. When a first DFSP receives routing information and data from a sending peer system destined for a receiving peer system, it queries the FFSB to determine if another DFSP can communicate with the receiving system. The FFSB checks its registry and notifies the first DFSP if a suitable DFSP (e.g., a second DFSP) is found. The first DFSP then transfers the routing information and data to the second DFSP, which handles the final communication to the receiving peer system. The system also processes policy attributes to determine if further handling is required before transfer. This approach ensures secure, policy-compliant, and efficient facsimile communication in a federated environment.
2. The environment of claim 1 , wherein the at least one Federated Facsimile Service Broker is configured to communicate the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) pertaining policy information between the first DFSP and the second DFSP.
This invention relates to a federated facsimile service broker system designed to facilitate secure and efficient document transmission between different Direct Facsimile Service Providers (DFSPs). The system addresses the challenge of interoperability and secure data exchange in environments where multiple DFSPs operate independently but need to communicate with each other. The broker acts as an intermediary, enabling the transfer of documents, origination identifiers, associated data, and policy information between a first DFSP and a second DFSP. This ensures that transmissions comply with relevant policies while maintaining security and integrity. The broker may also handle authentication, encryption, and routing to ensure seamless communication across different DFSP networks. The system is particularly useful in industries requiring secure document exchange, such as healthcare, legal, or financial services, where compliance and data protection are critical. By standardizing communication protocols and enforcing policy adherence, the broker enhances reliability and reduces the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches during transmission.
3. The environment of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second peer facsimile capable systems comprises a facsimile machine.
A system for facilitating communication between peer facsimile-capable devices addresses the challenge of ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission in facsimile networks. The system includes at least two peer facsimile-capable systems, each configured to send and receive facsimile transmissions. At least one of these systems is a facsimile machine, which may be a standalone device or integrated into a multifunction printer. The system enables direct communication between the peer devices, bypassing traditional centralized servers or gateways, which can reduce latency and improve transmission reliability. The facsimile machine within the system is equipped with standard fax protocols, such as ITU-T Group 3 or Group 4, to ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure. The system may also include additional features, such as error correction, encryption, or status reporting, to enhance transmission quality and security. By leveraging peer-to-peer communication, the system improves efficiency in document transmission while maintaining compatibility with legacy fax systems. This approach is particularly useful in environments where direct communication between devices is preferred over server-mediated transfers.
4. The environment of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second peer facsimile capable systems comprises a facsimile server.
A facsimile communication system includes at least two peer facsimile-capable systems that exchange facsimile data over a network. The system enables direct communication between these systems without requiring an intermediate server, allowing for efficient and secure transmission of facsimile data. At least one of the peer systems may be a facsimile server, which can manage and route facsimile transmissions between other devices. The system supports various facsimile protocols and ensures compatibility with existing facsimile infrastructure while improving transmission reliability and reducing latency. The facsimile server may handle tasks such as authentication, data compression, and error correction to enhance communication quality. This setup reduces dependency on traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTN) by leveraging modern network protocols, improving scalability and cost-efficiency. The system is particularly useful in environments where secure, direct facsimile communication is required, such as healthcare, legal, or financial sectors. The facsimile server can also act as a gateway, converting facsimile data into digital formats for integration with other communication systems.
5. The environment of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second peer facsimile capable systems comprises a communications adapter.
A system for facilitating communication between peer facsimile-capable devices includes at least two peer systems, each capable of sending and receiving facsimile transmissions. At least one of these systems incorporates a communications adapter designed to enhance or enable the facsimile transmission process. The communications adapter may provide additional functionality such as protocol conversion, signal conditioning, or compatibility with different network types, ensuring reliable transmission between the peer systems. This setup addresses challenges in interoperability and connectivity, particularly in environments where direct communication between facsimile devices is hindered by incompatible protocols or network limitations. The adapter may also support features like error correction, bandwidth optimization, or integration with modern communication networks, improving the efficiency and reliability of facsimile transmissions. The system is particularly useful in scenarios where legacy facsimile equipment must interact with newer or differently configured systems, ensuring seamless data exchange. The adapter may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both, depending on the specific requirements of the communication environment. This solution enhances the flexibility and robustness of facsimile communication in diverse networking conditions.
6. The environment of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of DFSBs and the FFSB are in the cloud.
This invention relates to a distributed computing environment where multiple data processing units, referred to as Distributed Function-Specific Storage Blocks (DFSBs), and a central Function-Focused Storage Block (FFSB) are deployed in a cloud infrastructure. The system is designed to optimize data storage and retrieval by distributing function-specific data across multiple DFSBs while maintaining a centralized FFSB that manages and coordinates access to the distributed data. The DFSBs handle specialized data processing tasks, such as encryption, compression, or indexing, while the FFSB acts as a central hub that ensures efficient data routing, load balancing, and consistency across the distributed storage units. The cloud-based deployment allows for scalability, flexibility, and high availability, enabling the system to dynamically adjust resources based on demand. This architecture addresses challenges in traditional centralized storage systems, such as bottlenecks, single points of failure, and limited scalability, by leveraging distributed computing principles in a cloud environment. The invention improves data accessibility, processing efficiency, and fault tolerance in large-scale computing environments.
7. In a federated computing architecture, an enhanced facsimile communications environment that enables transfer of at least one of (a) a document, (b) an origination identifier, and (c) data between at least first and second cooperating peer facsimile capable systems, the environment comprising: a first Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSP) that is at least able to communicate with a first cooperating facsimile capable peer system; the first DFSP being configured to receive routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, and (c) the data from the first cooperating facsimile capable peer system destined for a second cooperating facsimile capable peer system; the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system being accessible by at least a second DFSP; the first DFSP being structured such that: upon reception by the first DFSP of the routing information from the at least one cooperating facsimile capable peer system, the first DFSP determining if the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system is accessible by the second DFSP; upon determining that the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system is accessible by the second DFSP, the first DFSP transferring the routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, and (c) the data to the second DFSP; and upon the successful transfer of the routing information and the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, and (c) the data to the second DFSP, the first DFSP delegating communications of the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, and (c) the data to the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system to the second DFSP.
In a federated computing architecture, this invention addresses the challenge of securely and efficiently transferring documents, origination identifiers, and data between peer facsimile-capable systems across distributed networks. The system includes a first Distributed Facsimile Service Provider (DFSP) that communicates with a first peer facsimile system. The DFSP receives routing information along with the document, origination data, or other data from the first peer system, intended for a second peer system. The second peer system is accessible via a second DFSP. Upon receiving the routing information, the first DFSP checks if the second peer system is accessible by the second DFSP. If confirmed, the first DFSP transfers the routing information and the data to the second DFSP. After successful transfer, the first DFSP delegates further communication of the data to the second DFSP, ensuring seamless and secure transmission between the peer systems. This approach enhances interoperability and reliability in federated facsimile communications by leveraging distributed service providers to manage routing and data transfer dynamically.
8. The environment of claim 7 , wherein the second Distributed Facsimile Service Provider provides status information of the delegated communications of the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, and (c) the data to the first DFSP.
This invention relates to distributed facsimile (fax) communication systems, specifically addressing challenges in managing and tracking delegated fax communications between multiple Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSPs). The problem solved involves ensuring transparency and accountability when one DFSP delegates fax transmission tasks to another, including tracking the status of documents, origination details, and associated data. The system involves at least two DFSPs, where a first DFSP delegates the transmission of a fax document, origination information, or related data to a second DFSP. The second DFSP is responsible for handling the actual transmission of the fax. To maintain oversight, the second DFSP provides status updates to the first DFSP regarding the delegated communication. These updates may include the status of the document transmission, details about the sender (origination information), and any associated data. This ensures the first DFSP can monitor the progress and success of the fax transmission, even when delegated to another provider. The system enhances reliability and traceability in distributed fax services by maintaining a clear communication channel between the delegating and delegated DFSPs.
9. The environment of claim 7 , wherein the second Distributed Facsimile Service Provider determines if the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system is addressable.
A system for distributed facsimile communication involves multiple facsimile service providers that cooperate to route and deliver facsimile transmissions between peer systems. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently managing facsimile transmissions across different networks and service providers, ensuring reliable delivery even when direct communication between peers is not possible. One key aspect of the system is the ability of a second distributed facsimile service provider to determine whether a second facsimile-capable peer system is addressable. This determination involves checking whether the peer system can be reached via its network address, ensuring that the facsimile transmission can proceed without errors or delays. If the peer system is addressable, the service provider facilitates the transmission; if not, alternative routing or error handling mechanisms are triggered. The system enhances reliability and efficiency in facsimile communication by leveraging distributed service providers to overcome network limitations and ensure successful delivery.
10. In a federated computing architecture that enables transfer of at least one of (a) a document, (b) an origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) policy attribute information between at least first and second cooperating peer facsimile capable systems, the architecture comprising a plurality of Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSPs) and a Federated Facsimile Service Broker (FFSB) configured to register the first and second DFSPs, the plurality of DFSPs including a first DFSB and a second DFSB, the first DFSB configured to communicate with the first cooperating peer facsimile capable system, the second DFSB configured to communicate with the second cooperating peer facsimile capable system, the FFSB being configured to receive the routing information and use the received routing information to query whether any of the plural DFSPs are capable of communicating with a peer facsimile capable system associated with the routing information; the first DFSP comprising at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising: (i) receive routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute, from the first cooperating facsimile capable peer system; (ii) determine based on such received policy attribute information whether the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier and (c) data requires further processing, (iii) communicate with the at least one FFSB to determine whether another one of the plurality of DFSBs is capable of communicating with the second cooperating facsimile capable peer system, (iv) receive a notification from the at least one FFSB in response to a successful query that another one of the plurality of DFSPs is capable of communicating with the second peer facsimile capable system, (v) based on the notification, transferring the routing information and at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information to said another one of the plurality of DFSPs; and (vi) upon the successful transfer of the routing information and the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information to said another one of the plurality of DFSPs, delegating to said another one of the plurality of DFSPs, communication of the at least one of (a) the document, (b) the origination information, (c) the data, and (d) the policy attribute information.
A federated computing architecture enables secure and efficient transfer of documents, origination identifiers, data, and policy attributes between peer facsimile-capable systems. The architecture includes multiple Distributed Facsimile Service Providers (DFSPs) and a Federated Facsimile Service Broker (FFSB). The FFSB registers and manages the DFSPs, which act as intermediaries between cooperating peer systems. When a first DFSP receives routing information and one or more of the document, origination identifier, data, or policy attributes from a peer system, it evaluates the policy attributes to determine if further processing is required. The DFSP then queries the FFSB to identify another DFSP capable of communicating with the intended recipient system. Upon receiving confirmation, the DFSP transfers the routing information and relevant data to the identified DFSP, which then handles the communication with the recipient. This system ensures seamless and policy-compliant document transfer across federated networks, improving interoperability and security in distributed facsimile services.
11. The first DFSB of claim 10 , wherein the first DFSB communicates the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) pertaining policy information to the FFSB so the FFSB can communicate the at least one of (a) document, (b) origination identifier, (c) data, and (d) pertaining policy information to the another one of the DFSPs.
A system for secure document and data exchange between financial service providers (DFSPs) involves a distributed financial service bus (DFSB) that facilitates communication between different DFSPs. The system addresses the challenge of securely transmitting documents, identifiers, data, and policy information across disparate financial institutions while ensuring compliance and interoperability. The DFSB acts as an intermediary, receiving documents, origination identifiers, data, or policy information from one DFSB and relaying them to another DFSB or a financial federation service bus (FFSB). The FFSB then forwards the received information to the intended DFSP. This ensures that sensitive financial data is transmitted securely and efficiently between participating institutions, maintaining data integrity and regulatory compliance. The system supports various types of information exchange, including documents, identifiers, metadata, and policy rules, enabling seamless collaboration between financial entities. The DFSB and FFSB components work together to establish a trusted network for financial transactions and data sharing, reducing the need for direct integration between individual DFSPs. This approach enhances scalability, security, and compliance in financial service ecosystems.
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June 16, 2020
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